Reel structure



INVENTOR c..1. KLEIN 2,211,471

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Aug. 13, 1940.

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Aug; 13, 1.940. c. J. KLEIN 2,211,411

REEL STRUCTURE Filed oet. 26. 195e 4 shuts-sneu :s

AParenteel Aug. 13, 1940- 2,211,471

lUNITED v'STATES PATENT orifice 2,211,411 REEL STRUCTURE l vClarence J. Klein, Steubenville, Ohio Application october .26, 193s, serial No. 107,515

` zo claims. (cien- 72) My 4invention relates broadly to reel structures the line I-I of Figure 8, but on a smaller scale; and is particularly applicable to an improved Figure 2 is a'view showing the joints between collapsible reeling apparatus adapted for the efadjoining segments;

fective coiling of strip material. Inasmuch as Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the line my invention is peculiarly suitable for use in 1 III-r-III of Figure 6, but to a reduced scale; 5 connection with strip rolling mills, it will bede- Figure 4 is a cross sectional view along the scribed as a structure useful for coiling strip line IV-IV of Figure 1, but to an enlarged scale; metal, but it is to be understood that it may be Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the line satisfactorily employed for coiling other sheet V-V of Figure 1, but to an enlarged scale;

l0 or strip material. Figure 6 is a cross sectional View along the line 10 In the metal strip rolling art, itis customary to VI-VI of Figure 1, but to an enlarged scale, deliver strip material from the last or nishing showing the reel in the fully expanded condition stand of the rolling mill .directly to reeling or ready for coiling the strip material;

coiling. mechanism by meansof which the ma- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showterial is formed intov coils for ease in subsequent ing the reel in collapsed condition; 15 handling and to reduce the operating space revFigure 8 is a cross sectional view along the quirements of the mill. Due to the great weight line VIII-VIII of Figure 1, but to an enlarged of coils which are now being produced and -the scale; heavy tension on the material ,exerted by the I'Figure 9 is a view of the right-hand end of reel, it is essential that the reel should be as Figurell, but to an enlarged scale; 2@ rigidly constructed as possible so as to minimize Figure l0 is a detail view of the connection bedistortionin order' that the tension be evenly tween the reel ends and the segments. distributed over the strip as it leaves the last roll As illustrated in the drawings, the reel comstand. yThis requires that the diameter of the prises a central shaft 2, which, as will be obcentral supporting shaft be as large as possible served, is comparatively large in diameter in in comparison with the diameter of the reel. It comparison-with the outside diameter of the reel is also highly desirable that the structure be as and thereby forms a stiff structure. The shaft simple as possibleso that the minimum of time is supported at one end 3 and driven from that will be consumed when assembling ordisassem- 'end by the usual means, such as an -electric bling the reel. motor, not here shown. Rotatably mounted on 30 Furthermore, it is necessary that the reel be of and concentric with shaft 2 is a sleeve or roller the collapsible type to permit the -release and cage. 4 havinga number of discontinuous circumremoval of the finished coil of material, and the ferential slots 5, into which is received the head reel should be of such construction that it may of cap screws 6, which screws are secured to shaft be positively and readily expanded and .con- 2. The slots are of the size and shape to allow 35 tracted by the Operator' and present when in the limited circumferential or rotary movement of winding or expanded condition, a winding surthe sleeve 4 about the'shaft 2, but no appreciable face of substantially continuous contour so that longitudinal movement (see Figures 1, 3, 6, and the nished material Will not be marked. '7). Formed in the sleeve is a plurality of longi- 40 My invention provides a Collapsible reel of tudinally extending slots 1, three rows of six 40 improved construction which is of great rigidity each being shown (see Figures 3, 6, and '7). In due t0 the large diameter 0f the SUDDOrting Shaft slots l, rollers 8 are received. Surrounding and irl Comparison to the diameter Of the Winding spacedfrom sleeve 4 is a plurality of annular drum. The reel iS positive in Operation and 0f segments 9, three being shown. These segments bled and disassembled in a comparatively short ree1 is in the expanded position shown in Figure time and economically fabricated. Furthermore, 6, a circular coiling surface, the edges of the segthe strip is uniformly coiled So as to preserve the ments which abut one another being formed with finished characteristics of the material as it leaves intertting portions 9a and 9b (see Figure 2) so the mill. that there is no continuous dividing line between 50 In the accompanying drawings, I have shown the adjoining segments. This prevents marking forpurposes of illustration only, a preferred emof the strip while being wound lon the drum. bodiment of my invention. In the drawings: Received in appropriate longitudinal slots 2a in Figure l is a longitudinal partial section oi one the shaft 2 is a plurality of angularly disposed form of reel embodying the invention taken along cams or roller surfaces or'races l0.y two being 55 Such Simple Construction that it may be assemform an expansible drum and present, when the 45 shownfor each of the drum segments 9. The

`roller surfaces or races are preferably formed of hard material and are suitably secured as for example by screws II. The outside corners of the races are ground cylindrically with and to the same diameter as the shaft 2.`

A plurality of `roller surfaces or cams I3, two rows of which are shown in .each segment, are secured by screws I4 in suitable slots on the inside of the segments 9 (see Figures 6 and '1). The outside of these roller surfaces, which are preferably formed from hardened material, are 'concentric with the shaft 2 when the reel is in the expanded position. Received between each set of roller surfaces I0 and I3 are the rollers 8 which have hardened surfaces. faces I0 and I3, the slots 1 in sleeve 4 and the rollers 8 are so disposed that when the reel is collapsed, as shown in Figure 7, the various parts are in the relation shown in which the surfaces of the cams are angularly disposed with reference to each other. If the shaft is then rotated anticlockwise relative to the segments, or the 'segments rotated clockwise relative to the shaft, or a combination of both movements is made, the various parts assume the position shown in Figure 6 which shows the reel fully expanded. In this position, the segments 9 are pushed outwardly by the rollers 8 which now engage theouter end of the roller surfaces I0 and the roller surfaces I3. It will also be observed that the rollers 8 are located in the neighborhood of the quarter points of the segments when the drum is expanded, so that deflection of the segments under load will be at a minimum. l

Adjacent the supported end 3 of shaft 2 and surrounding the shaft is a driving ,collar I6. The shaft 2 has a plurality of projecting lugs I1 which are received in keyways I8 in the inner surface of the collar. The keyways I8 are of such circumferential size as to allow a certain amount of relative movement between the lugs I1-on shaft 2 and the collar I6. A retaining collar I9,

mounted or formed integrally with shaft 2, prevents longitudinal movement of the driving collar I6 toward the support. The side of the driving collar I6 facing the segments 9 of the winding expansible drum has a series of projecting lugs 20, one for each segment being shown, which lugs are received into recesses 2| in segments 9. Wear plates 22 are secured to the sides and ends of recesses 2| and provide a smooth surface necessary for sliding movement between the segments 9 and the driving collar I6. Each lug 20 has a hole 23 formed therein, into which is received a spring 24, one end of the spring abutting the bottom 25 of recess 2I of segment 9 and the other end abutting a threaded retaining member 26 received in hole 23 (see Fig. ures 5, 8, and 10). By turning adjusting member 26, the tension of spring 24 may be varied. This spring when pressed tends to force the segments 9 inwardly and when the roller cage4 is in the position shown n Figure '7, the segments 9 are positively forced into the position shown in Figure '1. Precisely the same arrangement is shown at the unsupported end of the reel, a section of which is shown in Figure 8, to which the same numerals have been applied with the suffix affixed thereto. The end driving collar 21 is supported on and driven by the unsupported end of the shaft 2 (see Figure 8) that the driving collar 21 has a driving connection with shaft 2 similar to the driving connection already described between driving collar rI6 and The roller sur- A A in Figure 6. Due to the arrangement of the It win be observed f These tiebolts have projections 33'and 34 nter- 10 mediate the ends, which projections .are received in suitable slots 35 and 36 in rollercage 4. The slots in the'roller cage are wider than the projections of the tie bolts and are of such size that the edges will contact the edges of the slots in the 15 roller cages upon relative rotation between the vdriving collars I6 and 21 and the shaft 2 (Figures 6 and 8). This arrangement serves to loosen the cages in case' -they do not readily release when the shaft 2 is moved clockwise relative to the segments 9 or the segments are moved anticlockwise relative to the shaft. These tie bolts also serve to move the driving collars I6 and 21 in unison and to hold the various parts of the reel in proper assembled relation.

At the beginning'of operation, the reel is expanded by rotating shaft 2 anticlockwise, as shown in Figure '7, while the driving collar I6, and consequently collar 21, are held stationary by any suitable means such as a brake, not shown. The movement of shaft 2 anticlockwise relative to the driving `collars will cause the rollers 8 to ride along -the roller 'surfaces I0 and I3 from the position shown in Figure 7 to the positionv shown wrapping device of the type shown in the Menzer United Statesl Patent No. 1,230,750. Inasmuch as the winding device'forrns no part of my invention, it is not fconsidered necessary to further describe it. It suiices to say that it is unnecessary to provide the customary gripping slot, although a gripping slot could readily be provided in an appropriate segment ofthe Winding drum. After a few windings have been wrapped around the drum, the material will be secured thereto in such fashion that no slippage willoccur and the winding can be proceeded with.

It is, of course, understood that in .expanding the reel, the shaft may remain stationary and the driving collars to 'which the segments are at Y tached may be rotated in a clockwise direction relative to the shaft, or a combination of both movements may be employed.

When the material has been wound to the desired extent on the reel,`the reel 'is then collapsed in order that the formed coil may beremoved therefrom. This. collapsing is accomplished by allowing the reel to continue to turn in the Winding direction while the shaft movement is retarded, or the reel may be stopped and the shaft rotated clockwise. The rollers 8 andcam surfaces I0 and I3 will assume the position shown in Figure '1 and the segments will be forced inwardly either by the weight of the coil thereon 75 or by the force of the coil springs 24 pressing against the lower end 25 of the recesses 2|.

By such an arrangement as I have shown and described it is possible to design a winding reel so that the shaft is very rigid for a given-reel diameter and of the largest diameter possible in comparison with the diameter of the winding drum and taking into account the necessary thickness of the segments, This is due to the fact that the expanding mechanism takes up but very little space and is simple and positive in,

lMy invention can likewise be applied to a reelwhich is supported at both-ends, in which case it is necessary lto provide a bearing at what is now the unsupported end.

While I havepherein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that changes in the construction, operation and relationship of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of my claims.'

I claim: g.

l. In a reel, the combination of a supporting shaft, a plurality of movable segments disposed about said shaft and forming a winding drum, roller surfaces on the drum, roller surfaces on the shaft, said surfaces being angularly disposed with respect to one another, means between said sur- I faces for causing radial displacement of the segments with respect to the shaft upon relative rotation of the shaft and drum and means independent of the last mentioned means for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum and permitting only a' limited arcuate movement between the shaft and the drum in either direction. I

l 2. In a reel structure, an expansible drum, a supporting shaft, a driving collar on the shaft, a driving connection betweensaid shaft and collar permitting only a limited arcuate movement between the shaft and the collar in either direction, a driving connection between said collar and the drum, drum-expanding means interposed be- -tween the shaft andthe drum, and drum-contracting means interposed between the driving collar and the drum.

3. In a reel structure, a plurality of movable segments forming a winding drum, a supporting shaft, a driving collar at Veach end of said drum connecting the drum and the shaft and permitting only a limited arcuate movement between the shaft andthe drum, expanding means between the shaft andthe drum for urging the segments outwardly, and means on said collars for urging said segments inwardly.

4. In a reel structure, an e'xpansible drum, a supporting shaft, a driving collar at each end of said drum connecting the drum and the shaft and permitting limited rotative movement between the collars and the shaft, cam surfaces on the drum, cam surfaces on the shaft, rollers between said surfaces, a roller cage for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation, and means connecting said driving collars, said connecting means having means thereon for causing rotation of the roller cage upon relative rotative movement betweenthe shaft and collar.

5. In a reel structure, the combination of a. supporting shaft, an expansible drumaxially disposed about said shaft, roller surfaces on the drum, roller' surfaces on the shaft, said surfaces being angularly disposed with respect to one another, rollers between said surfaces, a roller cage for causing limited rotative movement of said rollers and for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation, a driving collar at each end of said, drum connecting the drum and the shaft, and tie bolts connecting said driving collars, said tie bolts having projections thereon for causing movement of the roller cage upon relative rotation between the shaft and the collars.

, 6. A reel structure comprising a supporting shaft and an expansible drum, the latter being concentrically arranged about the former, rollers between the drum and shaft, means effective .upon limited relative rotation of the drum and shaft for effecting radial movement of the rollers for expanding and contracting the drum, and means permitting such limited relative rotation for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum. y

7. A reel structure comprising a supporting shaft and an expansible drum, the latter being concentrically arranged about the former, rollers between the drum and shaft, means effective upon limited relative rotation of the drum. and shaft for effecting radial movement of the rollers for expanding the drum, means yieldably resisting said expanding movement to cause the contraction of the drum upon movement of the rollers in a direction opposite to the expanding movement, and means permitting such limited'relative rotation for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum.

8. A reel structure comprising a supporting shaft and an expansible drum having segments which move radially in and out with respect to the center of the shaft, the drum being concentrically arranged about the shaft, rollers between the drum and shaft, means effective upon limited relative rotation between the drum and shaft for effecting radial movement of the rollers for expanding the drum, means yieldably resisting said expanding movement to cause the contraction of the drum upon movement of the rollers in a direction oppositev to the expanding movement and means permitting and restricting such limited relative rotation for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum.

9. A reel structure comprising a supporting shaftand an expansible drum, the drum being concentrically arranged about the shaft, rollers between'the drum and the shaft, means effective upon relative rotation of the drum and the shaft for eiect'ing arcuate movement of the rollers for expanding the drum, and means permitting and restricting such relative rotation for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum.

10. -A reel for coiling steel under tension comprising a shaft, an expansible drum' on the shaft comprised of radially movable segments, collars on the shaft at the ends of the drum keyed to the shaft through a lost motion connection and keyed to the segments so as to allow radial movement of the segments, the inner surface of the exterior of the shaft having cam surfaces which extend a short distance about its periphery, the interior of the drum having cooperating cam surfaces, rollers between the cooperating cam surfaces, and means for retaining the rollers in position, said cam surfaces and rollers cooperating to move the segments of the drum in or out with relative rotation between the shaft and collars.

1l. A reel for coiling steel under tension comprising a shaft, an expansible drum on the shaft comprised of radially movable segments, collars on the shaft at the ends of the drum keyed to the shaft through a lost motion connection and keyed to the segments so as to allow radial movement of the segments, and means connecting the collars for causing the 'collars to move synchronously.

l2. A reel for coiling steel under tension comprising a shaft, an expansible drum on the shaft comprised of radially movable segments, collars on the shaft at the ends of the drum keyed to the shaft through a lost motion connection and keyed to the segments so as to allow radial movement of the segments, and means connecting the collars for causing the collars to move synchronously, cam surfaces on the drum, cam surfaces on the shaft, rollers between said surfaces, a roller cage for causing limited rotative movement of said rollers and for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation, whereby the segments are moved outwardly upon relative arcuate movement between the shaft and drum.

13. A reel for ceiling steel under tension comprising a shaft, an expansible drum on the shaft comprised of radially movable segments, collars on the shaft at the ends of the drum keyed to the shaft through a lost motion connection and keyed to the segments so as to allow radial movement of the segments, and means interposed between the collars and segments for urging the segments inwardly.

14. In a reel, a supporting shaft member, a plurality of radially movable segments disposed about said shaft and forming a winding drum member, means for transmitting rotary motion directly from the vshaft to the drum segments and permitting only a limited arcuate movement between the shaft and the drum in either direction, cam surfaces on the shaft, cam surfaces on the drum in opposed relation to those on the shaft, the cam surfaces on one member being angularly disposed with respect tof-the cam surfaces on the other member, rollers between said members operatively engaging said cam surfaces, means for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation, and for insuring movement of the rollers relative to each surface upon relative rotation between the shaft and drum whereby all parts of each of the segments are simultaneously forced radially outwardly as a unit with respect to the shaft and. in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft by relative movement in one direction between the shaft and the drum, and means for urging the drum segments inwardly.

l5. In a reel structure, an expansible drum', a supporting shaft, a driving collar at each end of said shaft directly connecting .the drum and the shaft and connected to the shaft by a lost motion which permits limited rotative movement between the collars and the shaft but secured against longitudinal movement, cam surfaces on the drum, cam surfaces on the shaft, said surfaces being angularly disposed with respect to each other, rollers between said surfaces, a roller cage surrounding the shaft for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation and for insuring positive movement of the rollers, and means for causing rotation of the roller cage upon relative rotative movement between the shaft and collar.

16. In a reel structure, the combination of a supporting shaft, an expansible drum composed of movable segments concentrically disposed about said shaft, roller surfaces on the drum, roller surfaces on the shaft, said surfaces being angularly disposed with respect tov one another, rollers between said surfaces, a roller cage surrounding the shaft for causing limited rotative movement of said rollers and for maintaining said rollers in spaced apart relation, a driving collar surrounding the shaft and directly connectingthe drum and the shaft and permitting limited arcuate movement between the shaft and the drum, said collar being secured to the shaft against longitudinal movement and serving to support the segments at the ends thereof for axial movement from and toward the shaft so that all points on the segments will move to and from the center line of the shaft in substantially equal amounts and in planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and means for causing positive rotary movement of the roller cage upon relativerotation between the shaft and the collar.

17. A reel structure comprising a supporting shaft and an expansible drum composed of radially movable segments, the drum being concentrieally arranged about the shaft, rollers extending between the drum and shaft, a cage surrounding the shaft and effective upon limited relative rotation of the drum and shaft for eiecting `movement of the rollers away from and toward the center of the structure for expanding and contracting the drum in such manner that the median line of the drum moves at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, means for moving the cage, and means permitting limited relative rotation between the shaft and drum for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the drum.

18. In a reel, the combinationl of a supporting shaft member, a plurality of radially movable segments disposed about said shaft and forming a winding drum member, means for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft to the periphery of the drum segments and permitting only a limited arcuate movement between the shaft and the drum in either direction, a cam surface on the shaft, a plurality of cam surfaces on each vsegment angularly disposed with respect to the surface of the segments, means between said surfaces and movable relative to each surface for causing radial displacement of the segments outwardly with respect to the shaft and so that any point on each segment will move in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and in substantially the same amount relative to the shaft upon relative rotation between the shaft and drum in one direction, and means for urging the segments inwardly.

19. A reel comprising a central supporting shaft, a collar at each end of the shaft mounted against longitudinal movement with respect to the shaft but having a limited arcuate movement relative to the shaft, radially movable segments forming a drum and connected at each end to the collars so as to be slidable radially relative thereto and so that all points on the circumference of the movable segments will at all times be substantially equi-distant from the central line of the shaft, and means interposed between the movable segments and the shaft and surrounding the shaft and intermediate said collars for controlling the radial posltion'of the movable segments upon relative rotative movement be tween the shaft and the collars.

20. A reel comprising a central supporting shaft, a collar at each end 0f the shaft mounted against longitudinal movement with respect to the shaft but having a limited arcuate movement relative to the shaft, radially movable segments forming a drum and connected at each vend to the collars so as to be slidable radially relative thereto and so that all points on the cir- 

